Working alongside Swansea Bay University Health Board Capital Arts Manager Heather Parnell, and UWTSD we devised a bespoke workshop, which would produce outcomes for the newly refurbished Health Centre in Penclawdd. Considering health regulations we decided that the students would create enamel tiles- these were chosen for their ability to be cleaned and presented easily. In dialogue with the centre the theme was to be linked to the Coast, relevant to the centres location.The final piece was installed prior to opening to the public.

Heather Parnell presented the brief to the students, and showed images of the space they were being asked to work with.The students were lead through the design process by artist Catherine Brown, and the enamel firing with Colin Telford. The students each produced around 3 tiles and worked alongside Heather to curate the finished selection. From this unique opportunity the students learnt the practicalities of creating a site specific collaboration, as well as the avenues that being a practicing artist can open up.

About The Artist

In this case we had three artists working with our Criw Celf students. Arts in Health is a part of Swansea Bay University Health Board, and is a project committed to providing positive patient experience and increasing wellbeing through participation in the arts. Heather Parnell is the Capital Arts Manager and a freelance artist who’s work is primarily site-responsive. Catherine Brown is a lecturer at UWTSD who’s practice focuses on an experimentation with contemporary techniques in glass and ceramics. Colin Telford is a technician for the glass department in UWTSD who has invaluable experience within the glass industry.